Satellite internet for RVs used to be too expensive and unreliable to be worth the hassle, but Starlink RV, newly renamed to Starlink Roam, has offered a new way to get fast speeds on the go. We highly recommend it—if it's available in your area or an area you want to go. For more details, check out our more in-depth breakdown below.
RVs present an interesting situation for internet. You may want access in remote locations, but you also need access while moving, which requires specific equipment. Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots work well while moving, but coverage in remote areas can be spotty. On the other hand, satellite is ideal for use in remote locations, but it requires specialized (and expensive) equipment to get a signal on the go.
For this reason, we have a few different recommendations for RV owners to consider:
Starlink for RVs
If you take your RV into rural or remote places and need internet access there, Starlink Roam is the way to go. You can opt for a standard setup with portable gear that’s fairly reasonably priced, or—if you think you want access on the move—you can jump up to the in-motion Starlink satellite hardware for the ultimate RV internet experience.
Mobile hotspots for RVs
If you’re mostly using the internet in areas with decent cell coverage, we recommend Mint Mobile or T-Mobile RV internet options to use your phone as a hotspot. Both get you speedy wireless internet access with unlimited data, so you can stream to your heart’s content. Best of all, both work while the RV is moving, without dishing out thousands of dollars for special antennas.
RV internet tips
If you want Starlink Roam, just remember Starlink Roam and Starlink residential aren't the same thing, so be careful when you choose the right one when you sign up. As a general guide, Starlink Roam tends to be slower than Starlink Residential, but Starlink Roam doesn't have a waitlist like residential does in some areas. Once you're signed up with either, all you'll need is the Starlink app to guide your Starlink installation. Most people say it's fairly easy, but check out our Starlink Customer Service guide if you run into any problems.
If you go the mobile hotspot route for your RV, just remember that T-Mobile Home Internet isn't the same thing as its hotspot RV internet options. T-Mobile Home Internet is meant for a fixed location, and moving it from your home address will break the terms of service, so you could get booted from it.
For other hotspots like Mint Mobile's, just make sure you have an unlimited plan with enough high-speed data for your needs. And, of course, that your provider allows you to turn your phone into a hotspot that other devices can attach to.